That evening they had a great feast with tables full of delicious food, a variety of women dancing, and an air full of chatter and excitement. (y/n) hung more on the sidelines as usual, she isn't interested in interacting with others much. But a small hand taps her shoulder as (e/c) eyes meet blue ones. They seem to smile at her as he takes a seat next to her.
"Why don't you go talk to Alibaba and Morgiana, you haven't gotten to see them much today, right?" (y/n) says quickly, not sure why, but she just wants a moment alone. These festivities seem to bring back unpleasant memories, and so she often sought the comforts of solitude here.
"You seemed down, miss," he says, a hint of hurt in his sweet voice. She instantly regrets her words.
No response. What was she supposed to answer?
He lifts her (s/c) face up to look at him, "(y/n), what makes you happy?"
She pauses, trying to think of an answer only to realize she doesn't really know. It has never come to mind, "Uhh.. I-I don't know."
"Well, why don't we start simple, like food and hugs!" He shouts the last part, his face seeming to light up the room.
"I guess I like sweets... and books." A simple smile adorns her cheeks.
"I like sweets a lot too! It's not the same eating them alone though.. I wonder.. if maybe it's not always the sweets, but the people? What's an adventure without people to share it with after all?" She ponders his words, if something made her happy then why didn't it always do so? She didn't necessarily love her job at the palace, some days the work seemed to stretch on forever, but at least she enjoyed Sin and the other's company here.
"I guess I feel happy when I help around the palace, and I felt happy playing with you earlier as well." She grins at him.
The blue haired boy smiles at this. "Who makes you happy then?"
"Sinbad and Ja'far make me happy. I'm grateful to be here and be treated so kindly by them and everyone else, Masrur too. Also, I have you. You've made me happy today."
"Aw really?!" he smiles, "What about.. your family?"
"Ah, my parents loved me a lot too, they always did their best to make each day worthwhile. All their hard work was never enough though," she sighs thinking back to those days. It felt so long ago.
'That must've been nice... a family,' Aladdin thought. "Miss (y/n)?"
"Yes?"
"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"
She froze for a moment, a few negative memories coming back. "Yes, but I wouldn't say he ever really made me happy..." she trails off, starting to close herself up again.
"Oh I'm sorry, I was just curious"
"No, it's okay," she says. "He just didn't love me, and I was too foolish to see it."
(y/n) stops herself, not wanting to think about him, not wanting to feel the pain and the self-hate she tried to escape from. She knew she'd face it at night when there was no distraction, but that didn't mean she had to feel it now.
"He didn't deserve you," Aladdin's face is serious as he speaks. "You're so wonderful! Incredibly kind and sweet, you can be playful and fun when you want to be. But you can be very serious and determined! You never give up, and you never let others down. You're also very beautiful!" He exclaims, smiling up at her.
She blushes, feeling calm and happy from his sweet words. "You.. you really mean it?"
"Yes, and I think you're very deserving of love and kindness. You need to be happy, and I know one day you will be. It seems far now, but one day, it will all be okay. You'll be happy and you won't even remember your pains." She can't help but smile. Deep down, however, she doubts his words.
He looks down, seeming to frown. "What's the matter?" (y/n) asks.
"You don't believe me, do you.." then the little Magi knew what he needed to tell her. "You know, if you were really as undeserving and horrible as you think you are, then why would I take this time to reassure you? Why would I leave my very best friends to talk to you then? If it's all a lie, then how on earth would it benefit me? And.." there's a pause, his quiet hesitation, "if.. if you're so unlovable then why do I love you." He covers his mouth at the last part, "I-I'm sorry." Her face flushes in bright pink, it's a mix of shock, joy, and confusion. It suits her (h/l), (h/c) hair beautifully. 'Yes, beautiful,' he thinks to himself.
After recovering from shock she smiles, "You're a sweet boy Aladdin, but you're fairly younger than me."
"I bet I could love you better than that ex-boyfriend ever could, or any man for that matter," he says triumphantly. She thinks about the matter for a bit, knowing her own feelings for the blue mage. "One day, I'll grow up and be stronger, then I can truly love and protect you."
"Okay, how about in 8 years, if you come back to Sindria and still think you love me, I'll consider it." Who knew what would happen over that time, she wasn't too hopeful, but she held out her hand. He smiles and instead jumps into her arms.
"I'll be there, please wait for me!" (y/n) who's now redder than Morgiana's hair with him clinging to her chest, only nods.